Top tips for a good night's sleep

With three quarters of us failing to get a good night’s sleep, we are not alone in feeling sleep deprived. We’ve all had those nights of staring at the ceiling, trying all techniques to fall into a deep slumber - from sheep counting and drinking herbal tea to getting up and cleaning the house from top to bottom.

Whether or not we have cause to moan, lack of sleep is harmful to the body. Tiredness can make us irritable and grumpy, reduce productivity levels, increase our anxiety levels, lead to weight increase as we eat to counter a lack of energy as well as weakening our immune system as our sleepless nights build up.

So for those of us failing to get the recommended eight hours a night – our work, mood and relationships can all start to suffer. Yet as a nation, are we undervaluing the importance of good quality sleep? Silentnight recognises the importance of a good night’s sleep and is campaigning to get Britain back on its feet, becoming a happier, friendlier and more productive nation.

The effects of sleep deprivation cannot be ignored. A whole host of things can contribute to us becoming a shattered nation from our home and work life to the general busyness of our 24/7 society.

At the end of a working day, do you struggle to switch off from the pressures of daily life? Log into our live and interactive WebTV show, where Dr Nerina Ramlakhan will tell you about simple things you can do to improve your night’s sleep.